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Stephen Charles Blest, 64, peacefully entered into eternal rest on January 9, 2011, surrounded by his three children. Steve was born on September 17, 1946, in Silver City, NM. He grew up in the Mimbres Valley of NM and in El Paso, TX. After serving briefly in the Army as a linguist and earning a degree from the University of Texas-El Paso, he began his career as a Wildland Firefighter. In 1980 he started as a Silver City Hotshot with the Forest Service, working his way to Aviation Manager in the Gila Forest. In 2003 he began working in Air Attack for the Bureau of Land Management in Pocatello, ID and in 2006 moved to St. George, UT to become the Assistant State Aviation Manager for the Arizona BLM. Steve also served as an ATGS and on an incident management team in his career, among many other honors and experiences. He was always very passionate about the outdoors. He committed a large portion of his time enjoying and conserving our national forests and always took time to point out the natural beauty the outdoors had to offer. The Gila Forest always had a special place reserved in his heart however there were many places across the country that he was fond of and spoke about often. The friends he worked along side also made up his extended family, many of whom he remained friends with for over 30 years. He is survived by his children, Elaine L. Landon and husband Robert of Albuquerque, NM, Julia C. Blest and husband Michael Haraburda of Eliot, ME, Stephen Brian Blest and girlfriend Rachel Cole of Albuquerque, NM; one grandchild, Hunter Landon of Albuquerque, NM; one nephew; and two nieces; and many, many friends in the "fire world." He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara C. Blest; and his brother, Raymon Earl Blest, both of Mimbres, NM. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made in Steve's name to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation online at www.wffoundation.org. Those who wish to express condolences may do so at: www.danielsfuneral.com. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services Sara Road Chapel 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 505-892-9920
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